Want to keep your puppy healthy? Take care of nutrition and exercise

Want to keep your puppy healthy? Take care of nutrition and exerciseThere are five things the owners of a puppy should keep in mind to raise a healthy dog, including nutrition and exercise, a U. S. veterinarian has said.

To nourish the puppy's developing brain, its food should be supplemented with DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid essential to developing nervous tissue and visual function in dogs, says Dr. Al Townshend, staff veterinarian of Holistic Select, a line of food and snacks for dogs and cats.

Townshend says that small and miniature breeds can have different nutritional needs -- larger breeds need fewer calories per pound than smaller breeds.

Townshend says in a statement, "With the potential to grow up to 100 times their birth weight, a large breed puppy's energy intake must be regulated to ensure consistent, steady growth. Weight gain that comes too quickly can stress developing bones, and may lead to other disorders."

Townshend further says that daily exercise with the owner is an essential part of a puppy's health -- it gives the puppy something to look forward to, exercises its brain and strengthens its bond with humans. (With Inputs from Agencies)